Decadent Cranberry White Chocolate Oat Bars Recipe

Festive Cranberry White Chocolate Oat Bars Recipe to Sweeten Up

Sweet meets tangy in these irresistible cranberry white chocolate oat bars that blend creamy richness with bright fruity notes.

soft, chewy textures dance across your palate with each delectable bite.

The white chocolate melts luxuriously against tart cranberry clusters nestled in hearty oat layers.

Baked to golden perfection, these bars offer a delightful contrast of flavors and textures that will captivate your taste buds.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly to create a dessert that feels both comforting and elegant.

A perfect treat for afternoon snacking or sharing at gatherings, these bars promise pure indulgence.

Savor every moment of this delicious culinary adventure.

Serving Cranberry White Chocolate Oat Bars

  • Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair these delightful bars with a steaming mug of coffee or hot tea for a cozy morning treat that feels like a warm hug.
  • Dessert Plate Elegance: Serve these bars alongside vanilla ice cream or as part of a dessert platter with fresh berries and mint leaves for an elegant touch.
  • Afternoon Snack Adventure: Pack these bars in lunchboxes or enjoy them during a midday break, providing a perfect energy boost with their delicious blend of white chocolate and cranberry.
  • Holiday Gift Potential: Wrap these bars in parchment paper and tie with a festive ribbon to create a homemade gift that will make friends and family smile with delight.

How to Store Chewy Oat Bars

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness up to 5-7 days.
  • Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container for convenient 3-month storage.
  • Quick Grab & Go: Stack bars between wax paper sheets to prevent sticking when storing or transporting for picnics and lunch boxes.
  • Moisture Management: Place a small piece of bread in the storage container to maintain soft texture and prevent bars from drying out.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 13

Cranberry White Chocolate Oat Bars Ingredient List

For Base And Binding:
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create tender, moist texture with golden edges.
  • Large Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the bars.
  • Granulated Sugar, Light-Brown Sugar: Deliver sweetness and contribute to chewy, soft consistency.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • Oats: Delivers hearty texture and nutty undertone, choose rolled oats for best results.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure and helps hold the bars together.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic depth to the overall flavor profile.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness of the entire recipe.
For Flavor And Decoration:
  • White Chocolate Chips: Provide creamy, sweet pockets of indulgence throughout the bars.
  • Dried Cranberries: Introduces tangy, bright bursts of fruity flavor and beautiful color contrast.
  • Confectioners' Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy icing with delicate sweetness.
  • Vanilla: Adds complex, aromatic undertone to the icing.
  • Heavy Cream: Helps achieve perfect icing consistency and adds subtle richness.

Tool You’ll Need for Making Oat Bars

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining all ingredients smoothly and easily.
  • 8×8-inch Baking Dish: Essential for creating perfectly sized bars.
  • Parchment Paper: Helps with easy removal and clean-up.
  • Electric Mixer or Whisk: Great for blending butter, sugar, and eggs until creamy.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient amounts.
  • Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly and scrape mixture from bowl.
  • Large Chef's Knife: Used for cutting bars into clean, precise squares.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for slicing bars.

Step-by-Step Cranberry Oat Bar Instructions

  • Oven Preparation

Preheat the oven and get a baking dish ready with parchment paper for easy removal.

  • Mixing Base Ingredients

Cream together butter, sugars, egg, and warm spices until the mixture looks silky and smooth.

  • Dry Ingredient Incorporation

Fold in flour, rolled oats, delicate white chocolate chunks, and tart cranberry pieces to create a rich batter.

  • Baking Process

Spread the thick mixture evenly in the prepared pan and bake until edges turn a gentle golden color.

  • Creamy Topping

Whip up a dreamy vanilla glaze by blending powdered sugar with cream until perfectly smooth.

  • Finishing Touches

Once bars have cooled completely, drizzle the luxurious glaze across the surface and slice into delectable squares.

  • Storage Solution

Keep these delightful treats in an airtight container to maintain their soft texture and irresistible flavor for several days.

Tips for Soft and Chewy Oat Bars

  • Quick tips to elevate your cranberry white chocolate oat bars to the next level.
  • Replace white chocolate chips with dark chocolate or butterscotch chips for a totally different taste profile that keeps things exciting.
  • Add chopped nuts like pecans or almonds to introduce a delightful crunch that complements the soft, chewy bar texture and provides extra protein.
  • These bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container – perfect for busy bakers wanting quick dessert options.
  • Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free to make this recipe accessible for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising on delicious flavor.
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Decadent Cranberry White Chocolate Oat Bars Recipe

Decadent Cranberry White Chocolate Oat Bars


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4.8 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Homemade cranberry white chocolate oat bars blend sweet and tart flavors in a delightful dessert. Crumbly oat layers and creamy white chocolate create an irresistible treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups oats (5-minute or old-fashioned rolled)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
  • ¾ cup white chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup packed light-brown sugar
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 12 tbsps (1530 mL) heavy cream
  • 1 dash vanilla

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, creating smooth edges for easy removal.
  2. Mixing Base: Whip softened butter, sugars, egg, salt, and cinnamon into a luxurious, creamy blend that forms a smooth foundation for the bars.
  3. Incorporating Dry Ingredients: Gently fold flour, oats, white chocolate chips, and dried cranberries into the mixture, creating a rich, textured batter without overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
  4. Pan Distribution: Spread the batter evenly across the prepared pan, ensuring uniform thickness and reaching into all corners for consistent baking.
  5. Baking Process: Roast in the preheated oven for 24-26 minutes until edges turn golden and the center sets, indicating perfect doneness.
  6. Cooling and Finishing: Rest the baked bars on a wire rack for 45-60 minutes, then craft a silky glaze by whisking powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream to a smooth, pourable consistency.
  7. Glazing and Serving: Drizzle the glaze across the cooled bars, covering completely, then slice into twelve equal rectangular portions using a sharp knife.
  8. Storage: Preserve the bars in an airtight container at room temperature, maintaining their delectable texture and flavor for up to a week.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold ingredients to maintain a light, tender texture without developing tough gluten strands.
  • Temperature Precision: Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother blending and more consistent baking results.
  • Baking Doneness Check: Golden-brown edges and a set center indicate perfectly baked bars; avoid overbaking to keep them soft and chewy.
  • Cooling Crucial: Allow complete cooling before glazing to prevent melting and ensure a clean, professional finish on the bars.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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